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Trip Report
Surfing Ecuador. Best surf towns for backpacking.
Surfing Ecuador for one month between Salinas, Montañita, Olón, Puerto Lopez and Mompiche.
+ 12
South AmericaEcuador25 days / June - July 2017
Highs & Lows
Ecuatorians are really gentle and helpfull, especially in the Manabi Region.
Ecuador's coast is cloudy and windy on winter, which is whale season.
Itinerary Overview
Hi everyone! In this surfing trip, we are going to share with you our backpacking journey on the Ecuatorian coast starting from, the south in Salinas (Guayaquil region) to the north in Mompiche (Esmeraldas region). Most of our travels are by bus and hitchhiking. Each surfing location is just 5 days but you can stay longer for sure.
Our surfing Ecuador locations are:
- 5 days in Salinas
- 5 days in Olón next to Montañita
- 5 days in Puerto Lopez
- 5 days in Canoa
- 5 days in Mompiche
These destinations are the best tourist points on the coast for you to start but as we visit more, we gonna help you with our best tips!
Ecuador is a peaceful country for tourism and its people are proud of its culture, food and music. Surfing Ecuador, the coast has strong family culture and relaxed energy. The Ecuador coast is a perfect place to learn or practice surfing!
Q & A
What would you have changed?
Transportation. Next time we want to travel on bikes! We don't recommend Playas in Guayaquil region for tourism.
Anything go wrong during the trip?
It has been a bit difficult to understand the buses roads and stops but nowadays, roads change so check well your itinerary !
How was the food?
Ecuador has incredible and delicious seafood and scenic seafood. The "cevicherias" are the best places to try the freshest raw fish with lemon and don´t worry if you don´t like it raw, they have a lot of delicious ways to cook it perfectly. White rice and beans are in almost all of the traditional food so be carefull if you don´t like it so much. Banana "Guineo" and peanuts are the favourite and commun ingredients for local gastronomy in Manabi. Try: Chifles, corbiches, encebollados, chicharron de pescados (fried fish and scenic seafood).
What tips would you give a friend?
Try all the food you don't already know and just be charmed by the coast. Ask several prices for everything to get the best one.
Packing tips?
Surfing in Ecuador in the winter can be very cold and windy (whale season) or really warm and sunny in summer. Anyway, always bring potable water during your adventures and good shoes and pants or shorts for trekking.
Transportation Tips?
Buses can be really slow and complicated, hitchhiking can be faster in a lot of ways or rent bicycles in different day trip adventures! Go walking or in bicycles, it's the best way. Buses almost don´t have air conditioning.
Any surprises?
The incredible generosity and family vibes of Ecuadorians! And really well surprised by the food obviously!
Booking details?
We recommend wild camping and hostels for your stays. Book your tours through hostels which can sometimes be cheaper.
Lodging
Señora Flor's guest House, in front of the Red Cruz in Chipipe.
Camping and surfing
Wild camping on the beach
Bambú Hostel
Mudhouse Hostel